Empathic Listening & Presence Flashcards

A colleague says, "My manager criticized my report in front of everyone." Which response is an empathic guess in NVC?

Answer: "Were you feeling embarrassed and wanting respect for your effort?"

An empathic guess reflects a possible feeling and need without fixing, comparing, or reassuring.

In Rosenberg's list of habits that block empathy, "That reminds me of the time I..." is an example of which block?

Answer: One-upping or storytelling

Shifting attention to your own story pulls focus away from the speaker's experience.

How does NVC distinguish empathy from sympathy?

Answer: Empathy stays with the other's experience, while sympathy centers the listener's own feelings about it

Sympathy expresses the listener's feelings, which can shift focus away from the speaker's feelings and needs.

What is a common sign that a speaker has received enough empathy?

Answer: Their body relaxes and the flow of words naturally slows or stops

Rosenberg described a sense of release and a slowing of speech as signs that empathy has landed.

A trainer tells participants, "Don't just do something, stand there." What is this phrase pointing to?

Answer: Staying present with the speaker instead of rushing to fix

Rosenberg used this reversal to stress presence over problem-solving.

Before offering a solution to someone in distress, what does NVC suggest checking first?

Answer: Whether the person feels fully heard and wants suggestions

Moving to solutions before someone feels understood often leaves them feeling unheard.

What does "silent empathy" mean in NVC practice?

Answer: Internally guessing the speaker's feelings and needs while listening without saying them aloud

Silent empathy holds the other's feelings and needs in awareness without verbalizing them.